Bare bone or what?

ThomW wrote on 2/18/2010, 3:19 PM
I had a computer built for video editing by people who knew about computer building just not for video editing. I found out the hard way when my computer crashed and I had to reload the software for the 4th time. I knew enough to have them stripe the two 300 gig hard drives. What I didn’t know was that the operating system and application software needed to be on a separate drive from all my storage material. This time I found a long lost friend who said he could restore my striped hard drives for nothing. I now know why he was a long lost friend. My mid tower never came back and he isn’t returning any of my emails. I wished I had only given him the hard drives because I have to start over with getting a whole new computer. I’ve looked at options of just going down to the big box stores. However, they never have them set up to keep the problem I was having from occurring. 120 gig rapture drive costs more than the whole computer. So, I thought about building my own by picking and choosing only the best components based on price and reviews. However, I have never put a computer together and my wife thinks this is a bad idea. I’ve looked at having one built and paying closer attention to my needs but have found many companies and sites ask for more money than I would like to pay. I’ve created a wish list and trying to barebone it is like a third of the cost. Maybe, I’m not including in my wish list all the components. I have a friend, a very good friend that I know where he lives that builds computers for a living and he agreed that all I need to do is get all that I want into it and he will help me build it. So the question here is: what do I need to stick into a mid tower case? To assist you this is what I’m building it for: Vegas 9 video editing software and a host of other complimentary software, dual monitor at the very least, it must have firewire (I’m amazed how often this port is absent). I have to install wireless internet…and let’s see what else…oh, I really would appreciate it if it was quiet. My Xblade seemed to compete with my vacuum.

Comments

Yoyodyne wrote on 2/18/2010, 3:41 PM
Yikes! Sorry to hear about your horror story.

Computers are not that hard to build with a couple of HUGE caveats. You have to do an incredible amount of research beforehand and If something doesn't work you are on your own.

Videoguys has a pretty good reference system on their site:

http://www.videoguys.com/Guide/E/Videoguys+DIY77+Intel+Core+i7+with+Vista+64+AND+Now+Windows+7/0xe07f65920351fbf3ed8f9892355dfda0.aspx

Also reading the reviews on newegg.com can teach you a ton. There is a pretty high noise to signal ratio but a lot of great info buried in there - just takes a lot of time to weed through it. User reviews are a great resource.

Tomshardware is also a good site for info. This forum has a ton of very knowledgeable computer builders that can help too.

The actual putting the parts together part of building a computer is not too tough. The picking of the parts can be very hard.


oh, and dude - paragraph breaks.
GlennChan wrote on 2/21/2010, 10:20 AM
You ma find that it takes a lot less time and is slightly cheaper to buy a pre-built computer. You can go to hot deals sites for your country and look for a deal on a "higher-end" computer.

There was a time when it was cheaper to build your own computer... those days are going away.

2- You don't need raptor? ("rapture) hard drives, and you can capture to the same drive your windows+applications are on. Heck, I've even captured onto a USB2 drive (DV material).

Just edit already you know? People are editing on 2-6 year old systems that are half, a quarter, or an eighth of the speed of any computer you buy now.

Just my opinion. Double-check with the system requirements listed on the SCS website.
Jay Gladwell wrote on 2/21/2010, 3:03 PM

Please...!

Invest in Acronis True Image. Your systems crashes, if you've been using Acronis you can be back up and running within an hour.


TheHappyFriar wrote on 2/21/2010, 7:18 PM
depending on where you live I could help you out. I could put together a nice rig for you, depending on the price. i've never had any complaints before*.

*putting a computer in the same room as a wood stove, 4 feet away from it & NOT cleaning it out isn't my fault. :p No matter how many times I told my PARENTS to move it!
kairosmatt wrote on 2/22/2010, 10:28 AM
Parents!

They never listen and they never learn.

And the kitchen is always a mess...

One thing that came up for us that is hinted at in this thread, is to have a trusted local computer shop (or person) build a computer for you. It might be a little more expensive, and it might not even be the best. But at least they are right there to help you when something goes wrong.

We had a rocking computer from Puget Systems, but when something went wrong, they were in Seattle and we were in the Bahamas. Local guys had a look at it, but I feel they are more confident when they have built it themselves-plus they don't charge for service on systems they provided.

kairosmatt